How Job Seekers Can Connect on Facebook

As a job seeker, you want to be found. But you also want to control what information people can find about you. That’s where the “Connecting on Facebook” privacy settings category comes into play; it allows you to restrict what people see and who can contact you.

Facebook automatically makes your name, profile picture, gender, and networks visible to anyone and everyone. Sure, you can limit the number of people who can search for you and actually find you, but that’s a little counterintuitive when you’re looking for a job.

After all, hiring managers are likely to search for your Facebook profile to scope you out. You want to be as open as possible to connecting without violating your own sense of privacy. Everyone has different comfort levels. So ask yourself, “How much am I willing to open up?”

Consider letting everyone send you messages or friend requests (even if you don’t accept all of them). However, keep your Friends list, likes, activities, and location private by setting them to be viewed by Friends Only. These pieces of information simply add nothing to your personal brand but have some meaning to your friends.